Pete Viol’s Appalachian Heartbeat Tour

A charity bike ride that was to take Waterloo Regional Police Sergeant Peter Viol across the Appalachian Mountain Range to raise money and awareness for women’s cardiac disease has come to an unexpected end due to an injury received after a serious fall.

Sergeant Viol was two days into a 3,000 kilometre trek that begun in Sylacauga, Alabama and was to take him to Upper New York State, over to Kingston and then back home to Waterloo Region, when he fell off his bike, badly injuring his shoulder.

The accident happened in a remote area about one mile west of the Alabama-Georgia border. He was forced to ride approximately 30 kilometres to Cedartown, Georgia, where he received assistance from members of the Cedartown Police Department as well as staff at the Polk Medical Center. He was advised to discontinue his ride.

The charity ride was to raise money and awareness for the Regional Cardiac Care Centre at St. Mary’s General Hospital.

“There are no words to describe the disappointment I feel at this moment,” said Sergeant Viol. “This is the first time in 10 years that I have had to discontinue a charity ride for any reason. My goal was to raise funds and awareness for an important cause and I truly hope I can continue those fundraising efforts despite being unable to finish my ride.”

Sergeant Viol has been taking part in charity bike rides for the past 10 years, riding a total of 17,000 kilometres across the United States and Canada and raising more than $200,000 for health care in Waterloo Region.

“As I’m sure is the case for his many community partners, it goes without saying that our first concern is for Sergeant Viol’s safety,” said Susan Dusick, President of St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation. “We were saddened by the news of his unfortunate accident, knowing how hard he has trained and how very much this ride meant to him. The level of support that has been demonstrated to help Pete reach his fundraising goal has been inspiring. In particular, Transit Petroleum as a lead sponsor and KATLYN INTERNATIONAL INC. who has committed to match every community donation up to $10,000.”